The Green Communities Initiative program provides a package of tangible financial incentives and other resources to developers––both community-based organizations and private builders––who undertake green affordable housing projects integrating Green Communities criteria.

The Initiative is a collaboration of partners led by The Enterprise Foundation, The Enterprise Social Investment Corporation and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Green Communities partners include a blue-chip roster of corporate, financial, and philanthropic organizations, with strong support from the U.S. Green Building Council and financial support from companies like BP America.

Over a five-year period the Green Communities program will provide:

· Green Grants: To assist in planning, designing and building green communities;

· Low-Interest Loans: For predevelopment, site acquisition, and construction;

· LIHTC Equity Investments: To fund rehabilitation and construction; and

· Educational Conferences: A wide range of cross-cutting program conferences related to sustainable communities, multifamily housing economic development and smart-growth tactics and techniques for building green communities, including the June 28 and 29 high performance building conference in Washington, D.C.

For more information visit the Green Communities Initiative webpage.

(courtesy Green Building Alliance)

6/3/2005